At the end of the year, Dubai is prepared for the last year of the 2020 vision plan which will see it undergo a number of radical changes by 2025 that are likely to enhance everyday lives. Providing details on infrastructure upgrades to new service introductions, five exciting change areas to watch out for in the coming year are given below.
1. Al Maktoum Bridge Reopens
Al Maktoum Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in Dubai, shall be reopened on Thursday 16th January 2025 following repairs that had been carried out on it. The bridge which is between Bur Dubai and Deira has been closed during some hours as from September 2024. Its reopening should also help to reduce congestion through its connectivity of these main zones.
2. Revised Parking Fees
New parking fees in Dubai will begin to apply from March 2025. Special parking zones that will attract demand from offices, commercial buildings, and stops in buses and other means of transport will increase to Dhs6 per hour during peak periods of 8 AM–10 AM and 4 PM–8 PM. Customers parking their vehicles will continue to pay Dhs4 per hour for standard parking, which will be cheaper than valet service parking.
3. Variable Salik Toll Pricing
This toll gate will apply variable pricing to its service in January, 2025 in Dubai. That new structure will mean free calls at certain hours of the day and as much as Dhs 6 in the period of the day when traffic is high. The plan is intended for improving the current traffic situation and, in particular, for minimizing vehicle density on heavily-traveled streets.
4. Increased Sewage Charges
The next sewage charges’ standard adjustment in Dubai is due in 2025, Byblos says, ending the 10-year rate stability. Starting from January 2022, the said tariff shall commence at 1.5 fils per gallon of water, 2 fils in 2026 and 2.8 fils in 2027. The new structure is as a result of efforts being made by Dubai Municipality to source for funds for infrastructural development.
